A monumental mass by Bach that has never been heard before. Discover this counterpart to the H-Moll Messe!

Of all of Bach's Clavierübungen (which also include the Italian Concerto and Goldberg Variations), the Dritter Teil is the least well known to the general public. Only organists occasionally include excerpts from the work in their concert programmes.

Wouter Dekoninck took it on himself to give the Dritter Teil der Clavierübung life and soul for today's audiences, but still using Bach's authentic language. He translated the organ score into the melodic sound of Bach's baroque orchestra, added the original Lutheran chorale texts on top and built vocal scores based on the text and music. The result is a monumental mass in German for singers and baroque orchestra called Grosse Messe (1739) für Bach und Luther. The work has never been performed before.

Any questions? Need help? 23-09-2017 00:19

Visit the Penceler organ 23-09-2017 00:18

Would you like to invite a couple of friends to get a closer look at the magnificent Penceler organ, from inside and out? Wouldn’t you love to get a bird’s-eye view of how Wouter Dekoninck brings it to life? And hear how he creates all of those mesmerising sounds? This is possible!

Any questions? Need help? 27-08-2017 18:14

Bach Divinely Brought to Life by Wouter Dekoninck and His Hildebrandt Consort 27-08-2017 18:13

Bach Divinely Brought to Life by Wouter Dekoninck and His Hildebrandt Consort

Posted by Veerle Deknopper - Klassiek Centraal

Translation by Jill Rupnow

For some time, we at Klassiek Central have been following the artistry of the musicians of The Hildebrandt Consort led by organist and artistic director Wouter Dekoninck. Dekoninck’s rendering of Bach’s organ scores to bring them to audiences in settings for baroque orchestra has yet again attracted enthusiastic (inter)national acclaim following the preview of their Grosse Messe für Bach und Luther.

A monumental mass by Bach for Luther of 1739 and 2017

Technically speaking, how did this work take form? First and foremost, the piece grew out of the full organ score of the lesser known ‘Dritter Teil der Clavierübung’. How does one fill out an organ score into a larger score for at least five strings and five singers? The work is extremely meticulous. Notes need to be moved from the organ to a certain string instrument with utmost care. This way, the music actually reaches a higher level than before, while at the same time using techniques employed by Bach himself when he wrote his organ scores. After the concert, I called it the work of a lifetime. Dekoninck chuckled modestly, saying ‘yes, it took around six years’.

And this even without speaking of the singers. The texts come from the bible translations of Luther that were used as the basis for masses at the time. Dekoninck followed the composer’s working of other cantatas for this adaptation. The text was carefully dissected and added back to the music note by note, voice by voice.

And the result? A glorious mass, completely faithful to the style of Bach. The strings provide beautiful accentuation of the suffering. With natural gravity and depth of emotion, the vocal pallet harmonises perfectly with the strings that weave continuously in dialogue with the organ. The listener feels the adrenaline, but this only heightens the simultaneous intimacy and passion of the work. Isn’t this the epitome of what Bach’s music is? ... inspired from religion, yet also an invitation to travel to higher spheres of passion, always in a magical world. All within the confines of perfect mathematical logic. The music held up its end of the bargain, and, yes, ... it was thoroughly Bach.

We should mention that the musicians at work for our pleasure are all young professionals from our neck of the woods. And this makes them all the more special. We’re lucky to have young musicians in Flanders who have put us on the international map. Bach was the first to say it: ‘man muss fleissig sein’ (“it takes hard work”).

Klassiek Centraal is looking forward to following this project and is anxiously awaiting the big premiere on the 12th of October.

Would you like to contribute to crowdfunding in support of a recording of the Grosse Messe? Go to crofun.com.

Funders

Anonymous

€ 38,00
14/09/17

From Kahoru Suzuki
I got to know "Grosse Messe" by Madoka's post on Facebook. This music touches me enormously. I am looking forward to the recording and wishing that this music will spread out to many people!!